U.S. patent application number 12/988632 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-17 for hot runner including nozzle-support structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.. Invention is credited to Edward Joseph Jenko.
Application Number | 20110038980 12/988632 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41377516 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110038980 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jenko; Edward Joseph |
February 17, 2011 |
Hot Runner Including Nozzle-Support Structure
Abstract
Disclosed is a hot runner (100), including: a first plate (102)
having a first-plate alloy; a second plate (104) having a
second-plate alloy, the second plate (104) being coupled with the
first plate (102), and the second plate (104) and the first plate
(102) defining a manifold pocket (213); a manifold (224) being
supportively received in the manifold pocket (213), and the
manifold (224) having a drop (225); a nozzle assembly (400) being
supportively received by the second plate (104), the nozzle
assembly (400) connecting with the drop (225) of the manifold
(224); and a nozzle-support structure (101), including: a first
load-bearing insert (207) contacting the second plate (104), the
first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the nozzle assembly
(400), the first load-bearing insert (207) having a first insert
material being stronger than the second-plate alloy of the second
plate (104), the first insert material being strong enough to
withstand a first high-point load (150) to be transmitted from the
nozzle assembly (400) to the second plate (104) via the first
load-bearing insert (207), and the second-plate alloy of the second
plate (104) withstands transmission of the first high-point load
(150) once the first load-bearing insert (207) distributes the
first high-point load (150) to the second plate (104).
Inventors: |
Jenko; Edward Joseph;
(Essex, VT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Husky Injection Molding Systems, Inc.
288 North Road
Milton
VT
05468
US
|
Assignee: |
HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS
LTD.
Bolton
ON
|
Family ID: |
41377516 |
Appl. No.: |
12/988632 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
April 29, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2009/042008 |
371 Date: |
October 20, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61056091 |
May 27, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
425/547 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 2045/277 20130101;
B29C 45/2701 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
425/547 |
International
Class: |
B29C 45/73 20060101
B29C045/73; B29C 45/27 20060101 B29C045/27 |
Claims
1. A hot runner (100), comprising: a first plate (102) having a
first-plate alloy; a second plate (104) having a second-plate
alloy, the second plate (104) being coupled with the first plate
(102), and the second plate (104) and the first plate (102)
defining a manifold pocket (213); a manifold (224) being
supportively received in the manifold pocket (213), and the
manifold (224) having a drop (225); a nozzle assembly (400) being
supportively received by the second plate (104), the nozzle
assembly (400) connecting with the drop (225) of the manifold
(224); and a nozzle-support structure (101), including: a first
load-bearing insert (207) contacting the second plate (104), the
first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the nozzle assembly
(400), the first load-bearing insert (207) having a first insert
material being stronger than the second-plate alloy of the second
plate (104), the first insert material being strong enough to
withstand a first high-point load (150) to be transmitted from the
nozzle assembly (400) to the second plate (104) via the first
load-bearing insert (207), and the second-plate alloy of the second
plate (104) withstands transmission of the first high-point load
(150) once the first load-bearing insert (207) distributes the
first high-point load (150) to the second plate (104).
2. The hot runner (100) of claim 1, wherein: the nozzle-support
structure (101) further includes: a second load-bearing insert
(206) contacting the first plate (102), and the second load-bearing
insert (206) coupling with the manifold (224) at an area of the
manifold (224) being located opposite of the drop (225), the second
load-bearing insert (206) having a second insert material being
stronger than the first-plate alloy of the first plate (102), the
second insert material being strong enough to withstand a second
high-point load to be transmitted from the manifold (224) to the
first plate (102) via the second load-bearing insert (206), and the
first-plate alloy of the first plate (102) withstands transmission
of the second high-point load once the second load-bearing insert
(206) distributes the second high-point load to the first plate
(102).
3. The hot runner (100) of claim 1, wherein: the first plate (102)
includes: a manifold-backing plate (222) having a manifold-backing
plate alloy; the nozzle-support structure (101) further includes: a
second load-bearing insert (206) contacting the first plate (102),
and the second load-bearing insert (206) coupling with the manifold
(224) at an area of the manifold (224) being located opposite of
the drop (225), the second load-bearing insert (206) having a
second insert material being stronger than the first-plate alloy of
the first plate (102), the second insert material being strong
enough to withstand a second high-point load to be transmitted from
the manifold (224) to the first plate (102) via the second
load-bearing insert (206), and the first-plate alloy of the first
plate (102) withstands transmission of the second high-point load
once the second load-bearing insert (206) distributes the second
high-point load to the first plate (102); and the nozzle assembly
(400) includes: a thermal-type nozzle (250); and the second
load-bearing insert (206) includes: an insert portion abutting the
manifold-backing plate (222); and a manifold stand-off (214) being
located between the insert portion and the manifold (224).
4. The hot runner (100) of claim 1, wherein: the first plate (102)
includes: a manifold-backing plate (222) having a manifold-backing
plate alloy; the nozzle-support structure (101) further includes: a
second load-bearing insert (206) contacting the first plate (102),
and the second load-bearing insert (206) coupling with the manifold
(224) at an area of the manifold (224) being located opposite of
the drop (225), the second load-bearing insert (206) having a
second insert material being stronger than the first-plate alloy of
the first plate (102), the second insert material being strong
enough to withstand a second high-point load to be transmitted from
the manifold (224) to the first plate (102) via the second
load-bearing insert (206), and the first-plate alloy of the first
plate (102) withstands transmission of the second high-point load
once the second load-bearing insert (206) distributes the second
high-point load to the first plate (102); and the nozzle assembly
(400) includes: a valve-type nozzle (240) including: a manifold
bushing (243) being received in the manifold (224), and the
manifold bushing (243) forming part of a melt channel (221) of the
manifold (224); a valve actuator (280); a valve stem (245) being
coupled with the valve actuator (280); and an actuator stand off
(284) abutting the manifold-backing plate (222) and the manifold
(224), and wherein the second load-bearing insert (206) abuts the
manifold-backing plate (222) and the actuator stand off (284).
5. The hot runner (100) of claim 1, further comprising: a manifold
stand-off (204) abutting the manifold (224) and the second plate
(104), the manifold stand-off (204) coupling with the second plate
(104); and a manifold load-bearing insert (208) abutting the
manifold stand-off and the second plate (104), the manifold
load-bearing insert (208) having a third insert material being
stronger than the second-plate alloy of the second plate (104), the
third insert material being strong enough to withstand a third
high-point load to be transmitted from the manifold (224) to the
second plate (104) via the manifold load-bearing insert (208), and
the second-plate alloy of the second plate (104) withstands
transmission of the third high-point load once the manifold
load-bearing insert (208) distributes the third high-point load to
the second plate (104).
6. The hot runner (100) of claim 1, wherein: the first plate (102)
includes: a manifold-backing plate (222) having a manifold-backing
plate alloy; and the second plate (104) includes: a manifold plate
(202) having a manifold-plate alloy, the manifold plate (202) being
coupled with the manifold-backing plate (222), and the manifold
plate (202) and the manifold-backing plate (222) defining the
manifold pocket (213).
7. The hot runner (100) of claim 1, wherein: the first plate (102)
includes: a cavity-backing plate (422) of a mold assembly (530),
and the cavity-backing plate (422) having a cavity-backing plate
alloy; and the second plate (104) includes: a cavity plate (402) of
the mold assembly (530), the cavity plate (402) having a
cavity-plate alloy, the cavity plate (402) being coupled with the
cavity-backing plate (422), and the cavity plate (402) and the
cavity-backing plate (422) defining the manifold pocket (213).
8. The hot runner (100) of claim 1, wherein: the first plate (102)
includes: a manifold-backing plate (222) having a manifold-backing
plate alloy; the nozzle-support structure (101) further includes: a
second load-bearing insert (206) contacting the first plate (102),
and the second load-bearing insert (206) coupling with the manifold
(224) at an area of the manifold (224) being located opposite of
the drop (225), the second load-bearing insert (206) having a
second insert material being stronger than the first-plate alloy of
the first plate (102), the second insert material being strong
enough to withstand a second high-point load to be transmitted from
the manifold (224) to the first plate (102) via the second
load-bearing insert (206), and the first-plate alloy of the first
plate (102) withstands transmission of the second high-point load
once the second load-bearing insert (206) distributes the second
high-point load to the first plate (102); and the nozzle assembly
(400) includes: a thermal-type nozzle (250); and the second
load-bearing insert (206) includes: a manifold stand-off (314)
abutting the manifold-backing plate (222), the manifold stand-off
(314) being located between the manifold-backing plate (222) and
the manifold (224).
9. The hot runner (100) of claim 1, further comprising: a manifold
stand-off (304) abutting the manifold (224) and the second plate
(104), the manifold stand-off (304) having a third insert material
being stronger than the second-plate alloy of the second plate
(104), the third insert material being strong enough to withstand a
third high-point load to be transmitted from the manifold (224) to
the second plate (104) via the manifold stand-off (304), and the
second-plate alloy of the second plate (104) withstands
transmission of the third high-point load once the manifold
stand-off (304) distributes the third high-point load to the second
plate (104).
10. A molding system (700), comprising: a hot runner (100),
including: a first plate (102) having a first-plate alloy; a second
plate (104) having a second-plate alloy, the second plate (104)
being coupled with the first plate (102), and the second plate
(104) and the first plate (102) defining a manifold pocket (213); a
manifold (224) being supportively received in the manifold pocket
(213), and the manifold (224) having a drop (225); a nozzle
assembly (400) being supportively received by the second plate
(104), the nozzle assembly (400) connecting with the drop (225) of
the manifold (224); and a nozzle-support structure (101),
including: a first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the second
plate (104), the first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the
nozzle assembly (400), the first load-bearing insert (207) having a
first insert material being stronger than the second-plate alloy of
the second plate (104), the first insert material being strong
enough to withstand a first high-point load (150) to be transmitted
from the nozzle assembly (400) to the second plate (104) via the
first load-bearing insert (207), and the second-plate alloy of the
second plate (104) withstands transmission of the first high-point
load (150) once the first load-bearing insert (207) distributes the
first high-point load (150) to the second plate (104).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to molding systems,
and more specifically the present invention relates to hot runners
including a nozzle-support structure, and/or molding systems having
hot runners including the nozzle-support structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Examples of known molding systems are (amongst others): (i)
the HYPET (TRADEMARK) Molding System, (ii) the QUADLOC (TRADEMARK)
Molding System, (iii) the HYLECTRIC (TRADEMARK) Molding System, and
(iv) the HYMET (TRADEMARK) Molding System, all manufactured by
Husky Injection Molding Systems (Location: Canada; Web Site:
www.husky.ca).
[0003] Known hot runners include components that are made from
high-cost, high-strength steel alloys. Usage of these alloys is
based on several reasons, such as: (i) a desire for
corrosion-resistant plates (such as plates made from stainless
steel), and/or (ii) a desire for hot-runner components (such as hot
runner-to-mold-plate-contact surfaces) that can withstand high
point loads: the usage of high-strength steel alloys resist
compressive forces and permanent hobbing of hot-runner plates, and
thus usage of these alloys may prevent or delay the onset of
potential hot-runner failure. High-strength steel alloys are
difficult to source, expensive to purchase, require more time to
machine, and require expensive equipment and tooling to
machine.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,367 (Inventor: SCHAD; Published:
1986-05-13) discloses a pressure molding machine of the type having
a floating manifold that includes thermal expansion support
elements for sealing and centering the nozzles relative to the
floating manifold.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,890,473 (Inventor: HO et al.; Published:
2005-05-10) discloses a collar for a hot runner nozzle of an
injection molding apparatus. The collar includes a generally
cylindrical body having a first flange extending inwardly from a
first end thereof. The first flange is provided to abut a nozzle
head and at least a portion of a nozzle body of a nozzle. An
alignment flange projects from an inner wall of the generally
cylindrical body and is spaced from the first flange. The alignment
flange contacts the nozzle body to restrict tipping of the collar
relative to the nozzle during assembly of the injection molding
apparatus.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,232,305 (Inventor: MANDA; Published:
2007-06-19) discloses a load management device configured for a
feed body of any one of a molding machine, a hot runner assembly
and any combination thereof. The load management device includes a
load-transferring body configured to present a load-receiving
surface and a load-imparting surface. The load-transferring body is
configured to connect the load-receiving surface with the
load-imparting surface, to transfer a substantial amount of
load-received by the load-receiving surface over to the
load-imparting surface, and to transfer an insubstantial amount of
load-received by the load-receiving surface over to the feed
body.
[0007] U.S. Patent Number 2007/0193713 (Inventor: MANDA et al;
Published: 2007-08-23) discloses an injection molding system usable
for molding of a metal alloy above a solidus temperature of the
metal alloy. The injection molding system has a hot runner,
including: a manifold plate, and also has a manifold abutting the
manifold plate. The manifold has a drop. The manifold is configured
to transfer a load to the manifold plate along a direction
extending inclined relative to the drop.
[0008] PCT Patent Application Number 2002/070226 (Inventor: JENKO;
Published: 2002-09-12) discloses an apparatus and process for
injecting molten plastic material. The apparatus includes: (i) a
nozzle assembly through which plastic material flows, and (ii) a
nozzle body with a heater affixed thereto. A mold cavity plate is
positioned adjacent the nozzle body and is separable from the
nozzle body so that separation of the mold cavity plate from the
nozzle body exposes the nozzle body and permits removal of the
nozzle body and the heater.
[0009] A technical article (title: A USER REPORTS ON FLOATING
NEEDLE GATING IN BLACK AND WHITE; page 32; published: February
1994; trade magazine: INJECTION MOLDING) discloses a runnerless
modular injection molding system, which is the EQUAFLOW (TRADEMARK)
system built by Melt Design (Lombard, Ill., USA). A cross section
of a hot runner is depicted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According with a first aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a hot runner (100), comprising: (i) a first plate
(102) having a first-plate alloy; (ii) a second plate (104) having
a second-plate alloy, the second plate (104) being coupled with the
first plate (102), and the second plate (104) and the first plate
(102) defining a manifold pocket (213); (iii) a manifold (224)
being supportively received in the manifold pocket (213), and the
manifold (224) having a drop (225); (iv) a nozzle assembly (400)
being supportively received by the second plate (104), the nozzle
assembly (400) connecting with the drop (225) of the manifold
(224); and (v) a nozzle-support structure (101), including: a first
load-bearing insert (207) contacting the second plate (104), the
first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the nozzle assembly
(400), the first load-bearing insert (207) having a first insert
material being stronger than the second-plate alloy of the second
plate (104), the first insert material being strong enough to
withstand a first high-point load (150) to be transmitted from the
nozzle assembly (400) to the second plate (104) via the first
load-bearing insert (207), and the second-plate alloy of the second
plate (104) withstands transmission of the first high-point load
(150) once the first load-bearing insert (207) distributes the
first high-point load (150) to the second plate (104).
[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a molding system (700), comprising: a hot runner (100),
including: (i) a first plate (102) having a first-plate alloy; (ii)
a second plate (104) having a second-plate alloy, the second plate
(104) being coupled with the first plate (102), and the second
plate (104) and the first plate (102) defining a manifold pocket
(213); (iii) a manifold (224) being supportively received in the
manifold pocket (213), and the manifold (224) having a drop (225);
(iv) a nozzle assembly (400) being supportively received by the
second plate (104), the nozzle assembly (400) connecting with the
drop (225) of the manifold (224); and (v) a nozzle-support
structure (101), including: a first load-bearing insert (207)
contacting the second plate (104), the first load-bearing insert
(207) contacting the nozzle assembly (400), the first load-bearing
insert (207) having a first insert material being stronger than the
second-plate alloy of the second plate (104), the first insert
material being strong enough to withstand a first high-point load
(150) to be transmitted from the nozzle assembly (400) to the
second plate (104) via the first load-bearing insert (207), and the
second-plate alloy of the second plate (104) withstands
transmission of the first high-point load (150) once the first
load-bearing insert (207) distributes the first high-point load
(150) to the second plate (104).
[0012] A technical effect, amongst other technical effects, of the
aspects of the present invention is reduced cost of a hot runner
and/or a molding system having a hot runner. For example, since the
first insert material of the first load-bearing insert of the
nozzle-support structure is stronger than the second-plate alloy of
the second plate, the second-plate alloy may be made of a more
economical (usually softer) alloy in comparison to the expensive
alloys associated with plates of known hot runners (as described
above).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A better understanding of the non-limiting embodiments of
the present invention (including alternatives and/or variations
thereof) may be obtained with reference to the detailed description
of the non-limiting embodiments along with the following drawings,
in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a hot runner 100 in
accordance with a first non-limiting embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 2A depicts a schematic representation, at least in
part, of the hot runner 100 of FIG. 1;
[0016] to FIG. 2B depicts a schematic representation of a molding
system 700 having the hot runner 100 of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the hot runner 100
of FIG. 1 in accordance with a second non-limiting embodiment;
and
[0018] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the hot runner 100
of FIG. 1 in accordance with a third non-limiting embodiment.
[0019] The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are sometimes
illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and
fragmentary views. In certain instances, details that are not
necessary for an understanding of the embodiments or that render
other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts the cross-sectional view of the hot runner
100. It will be appreciated that the hot runner 100 includes
components that are known to those skilled in the art, and these
known components will not be described here; these known components
are described, at least in part, in the following reference books,
for example: (i) "Injection Molding Handbook" authored by
OSSWALD/TURNG/GRAMANN (ISBN: 3-446-21669-2), (ii) "Injection
Molding Handbook" authored by ROSATO AND ROSATO (ISBN:
0-412-99381-3), (iii) "Injection Molding Systems" 3.sup.rd Edition
authored by JOHANNABER (ISBN 3-446-17733-7) and/or (iv) "Runner and
Gating Design Handbook" authored by BEAUMONT (ISBN
1-446-22672-9).
[0021] The hot runner 100 includes: (i) a first plate 102, (ii) a
second plate 104, (iii) a manifold 224, (iv) a nozzle assembly 400,
and (v) a nozzle-support structure 101. The first plate 102 has a
first-plate alloy (such as, for example, a low-strength steel
alloy). The first plate 102 includes, by way of example, a
manifold-backing plate 222 that has a manifold-backing plate alloy.
The second plate 104 has a second-plate alloy (such as, for
example, a low-strength steel alloy either the same as the first
alloy or different). The second plate 104 includes, by way of
example, a manifold plate 202 that has a manifold-plate alloy.
Generally, the second plate 104 is coupled with the first plate 102
(preferably by fasteners, such as a fastener 223). Once they are
coupled together, the second plate 104 and the first plate 102
define a manifold pocket 213. As depicted in FIG. 1, the manifold
plate 202 is coupled with the manifold-backing plate 222
(preferably by the fastener 223); once they are coupled together,
the manifold plate 202 and the manifold-backing plate 222 define
the manifold pocket 213. The manifold 224 is supportively received
in the manifold pocket 213. The manifold 224 has: (i) an output
(usually called a drop 225), (ii) an input that is usually
connected with a sprue bushing 260, and (iii) a distribution
network that connects the input with the output (it will be
appreciated that there may be more than one output). The sprue
bushing 260 is coupled with a machine nozzle (known and not
depicted) of an injection unit (known and not depicted). FIG. 1
depicts the manifold 224 that has two drops 225, and it will be
appreciated that the manifold 224 may have a single drop or may
have multiple drops (or outputs). The nozzle assembly 400 is
supportively received in the nozzle hole 229 of the second plate
104. The nozzle assembly 400 is operatively connected with the drop
225 of the manifold 224, so that the nozzle assembly 400 may
receive the melt from the drop 225. The nozzle assembly 400 is also
received in a mold gate of a mold assembly (known but not depicted)
so that melt may flow from the nozzle assembly 400 to a mold cavity
(via the mold gate) of the mold assembly. FIG. 1 depicts two
examples of the nozzle assembly 400, which are: (i) a valve-type
nozzle 240, and (ii) a thermal-type nozzle 250.
[0022] The nozzle-support structure 101 includes a first
load-bearing insert 207. The first load-bearing insert 207 contacts
the second plate 104. The first load-bearing insert 207 contacts
the nozzle assembly 400. The first load-bearing insert 207 has a
first insert material that is stronger than the second-plate alloy
of the second plate 104. The first insert material may be, for
example, a high-strength steel alloy, such as stainless steel AISI
420, AISI P20 (also known as mold steel), alloy 4140, or the like.
The first insert material may also be made from material that is
strong but has lower thermal conductivity than the manifold plate
202 and/or a nozzle shoulder (such as a nozzle shoulder 244 of the
valve-type nozzle 240). A strong but thermally insulating material
such as ceramic may be used, and this arrangement advantageously
reduces heat losses from the (typically hotter) manifold 224 to the
(typically colder) manifold plate 202.
[0023] The manifold plate 202 is configured to receive a guide pin
209 that is used to locate the manifold plate 202 with the mold
assembly (known and not depicted). The manifold plate 202 includes
or defines: (i) a cooling circuit 201 (which is well known in the
art and therefore will not be described here in detail), and (ii)
the nozzle hole 229 that is configured to receive the nozzle
assembly 400 and to permit connection of the nozzle assembly 400
with the drop 225 of the manifold 224. The manifold-backing plate
222 defines a cooling circuit 203 (the cooling circuit 203 is well
known in the art). The manifold-backing plate 222 is configured to
receive the sprue bushing 260, so that the sprue bushing 260 may
connect with the input of the manifold 224. A sprue-bushing heater
261 is coupled with the sprue bushing 260. A sprue-bushing fastener
263 couples or connects the sprue bushing 260 with the
manifold-backing plate 222.
[0024] The manifold 224 includes or defines a melt channel 221 that
is configured to convey the melt from the input to the outputs of
the manifold 224. The manifold 224 defines a plug receiver 227 that
connects with the melt channel 221. The plug receiver 227 is
configured to receive a manifold plug (known and not depicted). The
purpose of the plug receiver 227 and the manifold plug is known to
those skilled in the art and therefore will not be further
described in any detail.
[0025] According to a non-limiting variant, the nozzle-support
structure 101 further includes a second load-bearing insert 206.
The second load-bearing insert 206 contacts the first plate 102,
and couples with the manifold 224 at an outer surface area of the
manifold 224 that is located opposite of the drop 225. The second
load-bearing insert 206 has a second insert material that is
stronger than the first-plate alloy of the first plate 102. The
second insert material is strong enough to withstand a second
high-point load (not depicted, but an example of the high-point
load is depicted in FIG. 2A) to be transmitted from the manifold
224 to the first plate 102 via the second load-bearing insert 206.
The first-plate alloy of the first plate 102 withstands
transmission of the second high-point load once the second
load-bearing insert 206 distributes the second high-point load to
the first plate 102. A technical effect, amongst other technical
effects, of the second insert material is reduced cost of the hot
runner 100 and/or a molding system 700 having the hot runner 100.
For example, since the second insert material of the second
load-bearing insert 206 of the nozzle-support structure 101 is
stronger than the first-plate alloy of the first plate 102, the
first-plate alloy may be made of a more economical (usually softer)
alloy in comparison to alloys associated with plates of known hot
runners.
According to a non-limiting variant, the nozzle assembly 400
includes a thermal-type nozzle 250, and the second load-bearing
insert 206 includes an insert portion (which may include a
heat-insulating material) that abuts the manifold-backing plate 222
and a manifold stand-off 214. The manifold stand-off 214 is located
between the insert portion and the manifold 224. The manifold
stand-off 214 may include a heat-insulating material as well. A
stand-off fastener 205 connects the manifold stand-off 214 with the
manifold 224.
[0026] According to a non-limiting variant, the hot runner 100
further includes a manifold stand-off 204 and a manifold
load-bearing insert 208. The manifold stand-off 204 abuts the
manifold 224 and abuts the second plate 104. A stand-off fastener
205 couples the manifold stand-off 204 with the second plate 104.
The manifold load-bearing insert 208 abuts the manifold stand-off
and abuts the second plate 104. The manifold load-bearing insert
208 has a third insert material that is stronger than the
second-plate alloy of the second plate 104. The third insert
material is strong enough to withstand a third high-point load (not
depicted but an example of the high-point load is depicted in FIG.
2A) to be transmitted from the manifold 224 to the second plate 104
via the manifold load-bearing insert 208. The second-plate alloy of
the second plate 104 withstands transmission of the third
high-point load once the manifold load-bearing insert 208
distributes the third high-point load to the second plate 104.
[0027] FIG. 2A depicts the schematic representation of the hot
runner 100 of FIG. 1. The first insert material of the first
load-bearing insert 207 is strong enough to withstand a first
high-point load 150 to be transmitted from the nozzle assembly 400
to the second plate 104 via the first load-bearing insert 207.
[0028] According to a non-limiting variant, the nozzle assembly 400
includes a nozzle shoulder 244 (which is also called a
nozzle-locating element or an insulator) of: (i) the valve-type
nozzle 240, or (ii) a nozzle shoulder 254 of the thermal-type
nozzle 250. The first high-point load 150 is to be transmitted from
the nozzle shoulder 244 to the second plate 104 via the first
load-bearing insert 207. The first insert material is strong enough
to withstand the first high-point load 150 (preferably, without the
second plate 104 becoming deformed but some deformation of the
second plate 104 may be permitted). The second-plate alloy of the
second plate 104 withstands transmission of the first high-point
load 150 once the first load-bearing insert 207 distributes the
first high-point load 150 to the second plate 104; specifically,
the second-plate alloy of the second plate 104 withstands
transmission of the first high-point load 150 so that preferably
the second plate 104 does not become permanently deformed but some
deformation of the second plate 104 may be permitted. That is, the
second plate 104 is deformably resilient during application of the
first high-point load 150.
[0029] According to a non-limiting variant, the nozzle assembly 400
includes the valve-type nozzle 240. The valve-type nozzle 240
includes a manifold bushing 243 that is received in the manifold
224, and the manifold bushing 243 forms part of the melt channel
221 of the manifold 224. The valve-type nozzle 240 also includes a
valve stem 245 that is coupled with a valve actuator 280. The
manifold-backing plate 222 defines an air supply 281 that is
coupled with the valve actuator 280. The air supply 281 is used to
energize or de-energize the valve actuator 280 so that the valve
stem 245 may be reciprocated as required. The air supply 281 is
bidirectional with an air-supply-control assembly (not depicted,
but known) operatively connected to the air supply 281. The
valve-type nozzle 240 also includes an actuator stand off 284,
which may include a heat-insulating material. The actuator stand
off 284 abuts the manifold-backing plate 222 and the manifold 224.
The manifold bushing 243 extends through the actuator stand off 284
and into the valve actuator 280. The second load-bearing insert 206
abuts the manifold-backing plate 222 and the actuator stand off
284. According to a non-limiting variant, two air circuits (not
depicted) are used to actuate the valve stem 245, in which one of
the air circuits is used to energize the valve actuator 280, and
the other air circuit is used to de-energize the valve actuator
280.
[0030] FIG. 2B depicts the schematic representation of the molding
system 700 that has the hot runner 100 of FIG. 1. The molding
system 700 may include components that are known to persons skilled
in the art, and these known components will not be described here;
these known components are described, at least in part, in the text
books identified above.
FIG. 3 depicts the cross-sectional view of the hot runner 100, in
which the nozzle assembly 400 includes a thermal-type nozzle 250,
and the second load-bearing insert 206 includes a manifold
stand-off 314 (which advantageously may include a heat-insulating
material such as ceramic or the like) abutting the manifold-backing
plate 222. The manifold stand-off 314 is located between the
manifold-backing plate 222 and the manifold 224. The stand-off
fastener 205 connects the manifold stand-off 314 with the manifold
224.
[0031] According to another non-limiting variant, the hot runner
100 further includes a manifold stand-off 304 that abuts the
manifold 224 and also abuts the second plate 104. A stand-off
fastener 205 couples the manifold stand-off 204 with the second
plate 104. The manifold stand-off 304 has a third insert material
that is stronger than the second-plate alloy of the second plate
104. The third insert material is strong enough to withstand a
third high-point load (not depicted) to be transmitted from the
manifold 224 to the second plate 104 via the manifold stand-off
304. The second-plate alloy of the second plate 104 withstands
transmission of the third high-point load once the manifold
stand-off 304 distributes the third high-point load to the second
plate 104.
[0032] FIG. 4 depicts the cross-sectional view of the hot runner
100, in which the first plate 102 includes a cavity-backing plate
422 of a mold assembly 530. The second plate 104 includes a cavity
plate 402 of the mold assembly 530. The cavity-backing plate 422
has a cavity-backing plate alloy. The cavity plate 402 has a
cavity-plate alloy. The cavity plate 402 is coupled with the
cavity-backing plate 422. The cavity plate 402 and the
cavity-backing plate 422 define the manifold pocket that receives
the manifold 224.
[0033] The description of the non-limiting embodiments provides
non-limiting examples of the present invention; these non-limiting
examples do not limit the scope of the claims of the present
invention. The non-limiting embodiments described are within the
scope of the claims of the present invention.
[0034] The non-limiting embodiments described above may be: (i)
adapted, modified and/or enhanced, as may be expected by persons
skilled in the art, for specific conditions and/or functions,
without departing from the scope of the claims herein, and/or (ii)
further extended to a variety of other applications without
departing from the scope of the claims herein. It is understood
that the non-limiting embodiments illustrate the aspects of the
present invention. Reference herein to details and description of
the non-limiting embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of
the claims of the present invention. Other non-limiting
embodiments, which may not have been described above, may be within
the scope of the appended claims. It is understood that: (i) the
scope of the present invention is limited by the claims, (ii) the
claims themselves recite those features regarded as essential to
the present invention, and (ii) preferable embodiments of the
present invention are the subject of dependent claims. Therefore,
what is protected by way of letters patent are limited only by the
scope of the following claims:
* * * * *
References